HUNDREDS of visitors descended on Hereford for a weekend of military history, debate and family entertainment as the city hosted the Hereford Military History Festival.

Talks featuring leading historians, journalists, military figures and authors were staged across the city, with several events selling out during the three-day festival.

The flagship event, The Past, Present and Future of the SAS, attracted a sold-out audience of more than 650 people to Hereford Cathedral on Saturday morning.

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Ed Butler, George Simm and Bob Parr, all of whom have first-hand SAS experience, discussed the origins and founding principles of the regiment as well as challenges facing special forces today.

The panel also examined the relationship between military operations and human rights legislation, reflecting the festival’s aim of using military history to explore contemporary issues.

The festival opened with DEFCON1, a discussion on geopolitics featuring David J. Betz, Keir Giles, Elizabeth Braw and Charles Hecker, who examined the changing global political landscape and the risk of escalating international conflict.

General Adrian Bradshaw, Tobias Ellwood and former Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings later appeared for The General’s Table, discussing Britain’s defence spending, NATO and international security.

Journalism and reporting from conflict zones also featured prominently. War correspondents Lindsey Hilsum, Mark Nicol, Ruth Sherlock and Paul Wood discussed the challenges of reporting accurately from wars and the impact of social media on traditional journalism.

Historian and author Helen Carr spoke to another sold-out audience at the Green Dragon Hotel about her book Sceptred Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth Century.

Other popular speakers included Dan Jones, Colin Bell DFC, Fergal Keane, Andrew Roberts, Charles Cumming, Iain MacGregor and Damien Lewis.

Historical anniversaries were also marked during the weekend. Giles Tremlett and Christopher Hall discussed the Spanish Civil War, 90 years after its outbreak, including the reasons volunteers from Britain and elsewhere travelled to Spain to fight.

The 250th anniversary of the American War of Independence was explored by Kevin J. Weddle, Tom Cutterham and Robert Cowley.

Away from the talks, Castle Green hosted a military history fair and community day on Sunday featuring a Spitfire, reenactors, charity and memorabilia stalls, food trucks and children’s entertainment.

Events took place at historic venues including Hereford Cathedral, the Green Dragon Hotel, College Hall, St Peter’s Church and Castle Green Pavilion.

The festival concluded on Sunday evening with a dinner and conversation featuring Nicholas Soames, grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, who reflected on his grandfather’s leadership and legacy.

Organisers said the festival was founded both to celebrate Hereford’s extensive military heritage and to attract visitors into the county, supporting the local tourism economy.

The event was supported by Herefordshire County BID, Herefordshire Community Foundation, the Green Dragon Hotel and other local organisations and businesses.

The festival is also a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and supports the Herefordshire Veteran Support Centre.